Poll

Local News

BRIAN J. STOUT
Age: 30Occupation: Insurance claims adjuster.Education: Attended Indiana Bible College and Vale National Claims School and graduate of Kaskaskia College and Missouri Auction School.Family: Wife, Chelsea; and two daughters, ages 2½ and 1.Church, club memberships: Metro Community Church.
Offices held in past, elected and otherwise: N/AWhy did you decide to run for office?

RICKY J. GOTTMAN
Age: 52Occupation: Director of facilities and support services of Fayette County Hospital (35 years); mayor of the city of Vandalia (12 years); and chief deputy coroner of Fayette County (21 years).

Several exciting upcoming events are planned at the Brownstown Branch Library, and even those sho don’t have a library card, come and join in the fun.
On Thursday, April 11 at 6 p.m., the public is invited to a jewelry-making class led by Leah Washburn. Take any material you would like to use and find how to make it into something lovely to wear or gift.
There are big changes coming to the Brownstown Branch Library with a makeover. Therefore, the library will be closed April 22-26 to accomplish all the changes needed to update and upgrade.

✔ TOPS IL 2490 will meet from 9:30-10:30 a.m. at First Baptist Church in Ramsey. Weigh-in is from 9-9:30 a.m. For more information, contact Dovie Heaton-Bergin at 283-1729.
✔ TOPS IL 1872, Ramsey, will meet at the Christian Church in Ramsey. Weigh-in is at 6:20 p.m., and the meeting is at 7 p.m.
Saturday, April 6

A Fayette County man died from injuries sustained in a one-vehicle accident late Monday afternoon.
According to the Illinois State Police, Jay R. McConkey, 49, of Loogootee, was driving a 2001 Ford F-150 pickup truck on County Road 1500 North, about one mile east of St. James, when the vehicle left the roadway on the right.
The state police said that the truck traveling along the right ditch for several hundred feet, then crossed the roadway to the left and went into a field, overturning several times.

Vandalia’s two mayoral candidates last Thursday night offered their thoughts on several key city issues, including economic development, problems with the city’s river intake and the need for a city administrator.